When a Protein Bar Became a Matter of Life and Death

You never expect a simple flight to turn into a medical crisis—but that’s exactly what happened to me at 30,000 feet.

I have Type 1 diabetes, so I’m pretty familiar with the early signs of low blood sugar—shaky hands, dizziness, that faint, sinking feeling. I knew I had to eat something quickly, so I reached for a protein bar I always keep on hand.

That’s when the woman sitting next to me stepped in and said, “Please don’t eat that. My son has sensory issues.” I looked over at her child—completely absorbed in a game on his tablet, not paying attention to anything around him.

I calmly explained that I had a medical condition and needed to eat right away. But she wouldn’t back down. When the flight attendants came by with snacks and drinks, she even tried to stop me from getting anything at all.

At that point, I had no choice but to speak up loudly and clearly—my health was on the line. Thankfully, a few other passengers stepped in and supported me.

Here’s the kicker: I eventually ate the protein bar, and the child didn’t even flinch. He didn’t notice. Not once.

It was a powerful reminder that taking care of your health is never something to feel guilty about—even if it makes someone else uncomfortable. Sometimes, advocating for yourself isn’t just important—it’s necessary.


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